Keith Zarriello’s recommendation: “I am deeply moved by the music of Nina Simone. From the first time I heard her voice I was paralyzed. I will never hear another voice like hers for the rest of my life. She doesn’t get enough credit for being a true revolutionary. I think you could make an argument she was the first punk. She was so bad ass and yet so beautiful and vulnerable at the same time. Every cover she did became her own.”

New to Nina Simone’s music? Keith suggests you start here: “Nowhere is this more evident than on her live album, Nina Simone At Town Hall. It combines everything I love – the 1950’s (recorded in ’59), New York City and of course Nina herself.”

About our guest author, Keith Zarriello: Keith is the co-lead of The Shivers, the Queens based band that proves that all great indie music from New York doesn’t have to come out of Brooklyn. Classically trained church organist Jo Schornikow joined Zariello six years ago and since then the band has won praise from Pitchfork and The Guardian (UK) and has earned tour spots with big names like M. Ward and Deer Tick. With four solid records under their belt, The Shivers recently travelled to the UK to record their personal best collection, More in, get this, AN ALL ANALOG STUDIO (sorry, Pro Tools). Producer Adam Lasus (Yo La Tengo, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Helium) helped create an ultra-warm album that showcases both up-tempo hum-alongs (Used To Be) and brooding ballads (More, below). So go ahead and one-up your Brooklyn buddies. Support Queens, support The Shivers and check the dates for their live shows here.

MP3: Used To Be by The Shivers

The Shivers – More [Official Music Video]